HAIL TO THE QUEEN! ARETHA FRANKLIN, 1942-2018

A national treasure. A once in a lifetime talent. The Queen of Soul. Nobody lives up to labels like that.

Aretha Franklin did.

Today, the world is a little darker and a little sadder, as we mourn the death of Aretha Louise Franklin, one the most iconic singers in the history of music. But while we mourn, we also celebrate an extraordinary talent and without question, the most accomplished female singer of all time.

112 charted singles on Billboard

20 number one R&B singles

17 top 10 Pop singles

18 Grammy® Awards

75 million records sold

The most charted female artist in history

Inducted into the Rock & Roll (first female inducted), UK Music and Gospel Halls of Fame

#9 on Rolling Stone’s Top 100 artists of all time (the highest-ranking woman)

Recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors

Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

It’s not hyperbole to say Aretha Franklin transcended musical style. In addition to being the Queen of Soul, she sang Pop, R&B, blues, Jazz and even Classical. In 1998, when Luciano Pavarotti dropped out of the Grammy Awards telecast for medical reasons, Aretha stepped in at the last second and delivered a stunning, unexpected performance of Pavarotti’s signature “Nessun Dorma” aria from Puccini’s Turandot. It brought the house down.

To remember her, and to enjoy her greatness again, here are five of our favorite Aretha Franklin performances: